Often dubbed a Startup Nation, India strives to provide the right ecosystem for its MSMEs and startups. India and Sweden signed an MoU in 2015 to strengthen & develop MSMEs in both nations. The MoU set out the following areas of cooperation: (1) promoting partnership projects; (2) encouraging exchange of information; (3) stimulating the development of industrial potential surveys to identify opportunities for development; and (4) facilitating the exchange of business missions.

2. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

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2. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Sweden is one of the stellar most examples of a smart and sustainable country. During a Presidential trip to Sweden in 2015, India signed an MoU with Sweden to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development. The MoU stressed on the following aspects: (1) sustainable and integrated urban planning and land use; (2) integrated solid waste management; (3) sustainable transport systems; and (4) water and sanitation management.

3. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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3. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

In a big boost to entrepreneurs, businesses and investors, India and Sweden signed an MoU on Intellectual Property in August 2017. A move that will greatly benefit MSMEs in particular, this MoU will see the transfer of innovation and IPR experiences between both sides. In light of India’s flagship National IPR Policy, launched in 2016, this Indo-Swedish MoU will aid India’s journey in becoming a major global player in the IPR realm.

4. HEALTHCARE

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4. HEALTHCARE

One of India’s most active and effective international healthcare MoUs is with Sweden, which facilitates focused collaboration. Sweden’s role in healthcare assistance to India dates back to the 1960s, but more recently, an MoU was signed in 2009 with focus on infection control, lifestyle diseases, elderly care, tertiary care and maternal and child care. Since then, the MoU has laid grounds for several projects and collaborations between the two nations.

5. ENERGY

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5. ENERGY

Sweden is driving the global renewable energy revolution around the world. India & Sweden signed an MoU in 2010 to promote trade and investments to develop new and renewable energy technologies. The MoU focused on the following areas of cooperation: (1) wind; (2) bioenergy; (3) waste-to- energy; & 4) energy efficiency. In 2012, ‘India Sweden Innovations’ Accelerator’ programme was launched with focus on innovation based collaborations on renewable and efficient energy, between India and Sweden.

6. SPACE

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6. SPACE

One of the very first MoUs signed between India and Sweden was in the field of Space. Signed in 1986, between ISRO and Swedish Board for Space Activities, the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at encouraging collaboration in space activities, exploration of the solar system, earth observation, use of satellite ground stations, among others. The MoU also set a framework to interchange information, technology and personnel in areas of mutual interest.